The FBI and Federal Aviation Administration have issued a warning after more than half a dozen drones appeared above Coors Field during recent Colorado Rockies games.
Between April 3 and April 5, while the Rockies were playing their first home series against the Philadelphia Phillies, authorities spotted the drones flying over the stadium.
Concerned about the potential threat drones pose, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the FBI jointly issued a warning on Thursday for pilots to keep them away from Coors Field during the Rockies’ upcoming home games.
“The illegal drone activity did not jeopardize anyone’s safety, but there were enough violations that the teams on the ground were concerned about the number of operators that did not seem to understand the seriousness of the situation. Thus, the proactive messaging,” ESPN reports FBI spokesperson Vikki Migoya said about the drones.
So far, no one has taken anyone into custody, but authorities may still fine the drone pilots. Coors Field has a restricted airspace within three miles of the stadium from one hour before games until one hour after them.
Although drones must typically broadcast their locations, authorities can still locate their operators using other methods. According to the FAA, drone operators who disobey air restrictions risk losing their licenses, and the FAA may fine them up to $75,000.
“Every instance of illegal drone activity requires a law enforcement intervention to ensure the intent is not nefarious; the fewer violations there are, the more law enforcement can focus on what might be a true threat,” Migoya continued.